Scapegoated: meaning, definitions and examples
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scapegoated
[ ˈskeɪpˌɡoʊtɪd ]
attributing blame
To scapegoat means to unfairly blame someone for problems or negative outcomes, usually to divert attention from the real source of the issue. It often involves making a person or group a target for criticism, allowing others to avoid responsibility.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The manager scapegoated the intern for the team's failure.
- Politicians often scapegoat immigrants during election campaigns.
- In the discussion, she felt scapegoated for the project's shortcomings.
Translations
Translations of the word "scapegoated" in other languages:
🇵🇹 bode expiatório
🇮🇳 दोषारोपित
🇩🇪 Sündenbock
🇮🇩 kambing hitam
🇺🇦 козел відпущення
🇵🇱 kozioł ofiarny
🇯🇵 スケープゴート
🇫🇷 bouc émissaire
🇪🇸 chivo expiatorio
🇹🇷 günah keçisi
🇰🇷 희생양
🇸🇦 كبش الفداء
🇨🇿 obětní beránek
🇸🇰 obetný baránok
🇨🇳 替罪羊
🇸🇮 žrtev
🇮🇸 syndabók
🇰🇿 құрбан
🇬🇪 წამებული
🇦🇿 qurban
🇲🇽 chivo expiatorio
Etymology
The term 'scapegoat' originates from the ancient Jewish tradition described in the Book of Leviticus. In this ritual, a goat was symbolically burdened with the sins of the people and then sent into the wilderness, carrying those sins away. The practice represented a way to cleanse a community from guilt. The word itself was coined in the early 17th century, combining 'scape', meaning escape, with 'goat', reflecting the animal's role in the ritual. Over time, the term evolved to refer more broadly to any individual or group unjustly blamed for wrongdoing, often serving as a convenient target for the frustrations or failures of others. Its inclusion in various sociopolitical contexts highlights the human tendency to seek out someone to blame rather than confronting underlying issues directly.